Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-28
pranZilii.

The leading sensation.of Paris is not polit-
ical, but relates TO The diaholica crimes OF
Pranzini, who occupies condemned cell in
the La Roquette prison. After his incarcer'
alion the police discovered that ne was q
professional hackmailer, old women il par
ticular forming his favorite prey. He used
to mako love to them, get them in his power,
and then compromise them ii they refused
to pay. The correspondence discovered
among his baggage. which includes letters
from women OF all classes OF society, makes
it apparent that he committed the murders
for which he will die, for the purpose Of oD'
tanning sufficient money 10 so over TO the
United States and to marry rich New
York bankers daughter, whose letters show
that she had not only been betrayed, but
that, moreover, she was deeply infatuated
with the murderer and anxious 10 marry
him as soon as he could find means OF going
20 New York. Their acquaintance began
at n hotel in Paris last ial!. Happily fer the
peace of mind Of New York society, tho
name of this imprudent girl has not been
made public.
On March II last sensation Was caused
in Paris by the discovery Of three dead
bodies in handsome fiat of the Rue Mon
taigne, one of the streets leading oil the
Champs Elysee. The victims were lille.
Marie Regnault, well-lSDown deni-mon-
dame, whose protectors" were mostly men
of mature and even advanced age her
maid who slept in an adjoining room, and
tho latter's little ten year Old daughter,
Marie, who was the godcbild Of Mile. Reg
nault They had all three been knitted in
the most scientific manner. q few days
later a Levantine adventurer Of tbs name OF
Pranzini was arrested at Marselles with
some of the jewls of the dead bonnie in his
possession. His trial, which ended only
few doys ago, was daily ATTENDED by many
OF the most fashionable mondaines and
demi mondanes of Paris. Before the jury
retired Pranzini shouted "Gjve me death
or give me liberty | all innocent" The
Jury was out two hours, and returned
verdict of guilty as TO the murder OF Marie
Reenaut and her servant, but found thai
the killing OF the girl was unprecedented.
Pranzini was then sentenced 10 death.
He vas born of Italian parents in 1896 at
Alexandra, Egypt. At the nge of is he
obtained employment ut Cairo IN the gener-
al postofIice In the early part of 1879 he
was summarily discharged for stealing tae
contents of letters, aud was sentenced to
YEARS Imprisonment for the oflense. When
he left the prison he became the business
agent at Cairo of several important houses
of business at Alexandria. After holding
this engagement awhile he left Egypt for
time, lettering about the various Turkish
ports on the Mediterranean. He finally made
his way to Odessa, where he entered the
service of the late Gen. Skobelefl as courier
Sent by the general to accompany his
mother on her journey from Bulgaria to
Russia, he disappeared from the scene SIM
ulta-eousy with the old lady's mysterious
murder by the generals aide-de-camp, and
made use of the large sum of money which
he had in his possession, and which was
evidently part OF the proceeds oil
the murdered lady's jewels, TO Sc
cure passage for Calcutta, where
for q time he lived in aiiluence.
His money. however, did not last long, aud,
having become proficient in the l1indoo lam
guage, he secured employment 80 interpre'
ter to party Of merchants, with whom he
travelled through India and g portion of At
ghanistan. Returning to Europe with his
employers, we next find him interpreter ut a no l..
tel at Constantinople, aud subsequently at the |
Hotel Royal des Eirangcrs ut Naples, where, how
ever he got into trouble for stealing bank notes
from letter addressed to guest His next post
was that of conductor of the sleeping car company
on the trains running between Calais aud Brindi |
ST. He was discharged after few months SER
vice for stealing tho diamonds of lady travelling
in his car. In 1884 he returned to Egypt and
accompanied Lord Wolseleys expedition to
the Soudan as interpreter at the close OF which
he received certificate signed by the prop
or authority to the effect that he spoke With !
equal facility English, French, Italian Greek, |
Turkish, Arabic, Russian and Hindoo. Suisse {
quently employed rs clerk at one of the principal
hotels at Marseilles, he disappeared day with
tbs proceeds of large check which he had been /
requested to cssh, and made his way to Paris, /
where he devoted himself exclusively TO the pro- /
fession of blackmailer and hanger-on OF fast /
women. His personal appearance was of great |
service to him in this peculiar calling. lie was |
above tho average stature Of Frenchuen, had /
coal-blsck hair, car<fully trimmed beard, and |
exceeding small and delicately formed hands. His
manner was quiet and somewhat eflemnste. He
also possessed extraordinary muscular power
Killed by Lightning.
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